Label Reading Tips for a Gluten-Free Diet
August 04, 2015
You should carefully read all food labels and ingredients lists to see if the food contains wheat, barley, or rye. Although many sources of these grains will be obvious to you, others may not. The information that follows can help you identify hidden sources of wheat, barley, and rye ingredient lists.
Other terms for Wheat
The following words indicate the presence of wheat, and foods with any of these ingredients should not be eaten:
- Bromated flour
- Durham flour
- Enriched flour
- Farina
- Flour
- Graham flour
- Phosphated flour
- Plain flour
- Self-rising flour
- Semolina
- White flour
Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, if a food or an ingredient contains wheat or protein from wheat, the word "wheat" must be clearly stated on the food label. All packaged food products regulated by the FDA (food and drug administration) that are labeled on or after January 1, 2006 must be in compliance.
Foods and Ingredients Made from Barley
Some foods and ingredients are usually made from barley. You should not eat any foods with the following ingredients:
- Beer, ale, porter, stout, and other fermented beverages (note: distilled alcoholic beverages, such as vodka and gin, are gluten free)
- Malt
- Malt syrup or malt extract
- Malted beverages
- Malted milk
- Malt vinegar (note: other types of vinegar such as cider, wine, and distilled, are gluten-free)
- Processed Foods that may Contain Wheat, Barley, or Rye:
- Modified food starch
- Dextrin
- Caramel Color
- Bouillon Cubes
- Brown rice syrup
- Candy
- Cold cuts, hot dogs, salami, sausage
- communion wafers
- French fries
- Gravy
- Immitation fish
- Matzo
- Rice mixes
- Sauces
- Seasoned tortilla chips or potato chips
- Self-basting turkey
- Soups
- Soy sauce
- Vegetables in sauce
Supplements and Medications
Some medications (boht prescription and over-the-counter) and vitamin and mineral supplements may contain ingredients made from wheat or barley. Talk to your physician or pharmacist about any medications you are taking.
You may also want to contact the indvidual manufacturers and ask whether the supplement or medication contains any ingredients made from wheat or barley.
One source of information on gluten-free medications is the booklet, "Celiac Sprue: A Guide Through the Medicine Chest available at glutenfreedrugs.com.
Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance, Food Allergies Intolerances/Sensitivities